Leonard Fournette Is the SEC's Best Chance to Win 2015 Heisman Trophy

It was a simple four-yard run up the middle, which, thanks to a small cutback, resulted in the prodigy scoring nearly untouched during a 56-0 victory against Sam Houston State.

Yet, Leonard Fournette couldn’t help himself after his first career touchdown last September.

Having already said that he wanted to win the Heisman Trophy as a freshman, and egged on by cheering fans at Tiger Stadium, the running back struck the famous pose only to be criticized far and wide for immature showboating.

It began with his own head coach, who greeted him back on the sideline with: “We have to talk.”

“It kind of happened in the moment,” said Fournette, who apologized to his teammates and is still regularly asked about it. “I was excited. It was a little childish of me.”

Although Les Miles was partially to blame after helping build up the hype, it was really the first time that Fournette got a taste of what being in the college football spotlight was really all about.

Out of St. Augustine High School in New Orleans, he had been considered the 2014 recruiting class' crown jewel—Fournette was listed as the nation's No. 1 overall prospect by ESPN.com and Scout.com, No. 2 by 247Sports and No. 4 by Rivals.

During 2014 SEC media days, Miles actually made an eye-raising comparison to Michael Jordan, while senior running back Terrence Magee said Fournette reminded him of Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings.

Name	School, Pos.	Odds
Trevone Boykin	TCU QB	9/2
Ezekiel Elliott	Ohio State RB	7/1
J.T. Barrett	Ohio State QB	9/1
Nick Chubb	Georgia RB	10/1
Jeremy Johnson	Auburn QB	10/1
Cody Kessler	USC QB	12/1
Leonard Fournette	LSU RB	14/1
Deshaun Watson	Clemson QB	14/1
Cardale Jones	Ohio State QB	16/1
Dak Prescott	MSU QB	16/1

"Who wouldn't want to play in a backfield with a guy like that?” Magee said.

Only Fournette didn’t exactly play like that initially. While getting used to the speed of the game, the size of opponents and the physical nature of everything, the freshman was mostly a complementary player through the season's first half.

Nevertheless, he rushed for 1,034 yards and 10 touchdowns and also caught seven passes for 127 yards while making just six starts. Combined with his kick returns, Fournette led the Southeastern Conference in all-purpose yards (137.4 per game).

But what really made Fournette stand out was how he got those yards.

There was the play where he ran over a Texas A&M defender en route to a 22-yard score. Then there he was going over four defenders to reach the end zone against Florida and notching 140 rushing yards during his first start. And of course, there was the 100-yard kick return against Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl, where he also had an 89-yard touchdown run en route to 264 all-purpose yards.

That’s also when Fournette claims things really started to click for him.

“I feel like I’m 10-times better,” Fournette said about his outlook for 2015.

After a year in the LSU weight room, he’s listed as 6'1", 230 pounds, while still making moves like a spry tailback who only needs the smallest hole to break a big gain. Senior offensive tackle Vadal Alexander calls that combination “crazy” and his teammate a “freak of nature.”

“It kind of amazes me how big he is because he can really run,” junior linebacker Kendell Beckworth said. “He has a skill set like I’ve never seen.”

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

It’s also why Fournette has to be considered the SEC’s best shot at winning the Heisman this season, if not next.

Consider his primary competition. Fournette’s going to get his touches, while Arkansas’ Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins will split their carries. Dak Prescott is widely thought to be the league’s best quarterback, but at media days Mississippi State was slated to finish last in the brutal SEC West, and there’s only so much he can do.

Auburn quarterback Jeremy Johnson and Alabama’s Derrick Henry have the same problem, someone in their roles recently won the Heisman. Topping their predecessor’s statistics may not be enough as Trent Richardson exceeded Mark Ingram Jr.’s rushing numbers and still only placed third for the Heisman in 2011.

That leaves Georgia running back Nick Chubb, who ran for 1,547 yards and 14 scores as a freshman, and thanks to two 200-yard performances, he averaged 165.4 rushing yards over the final eight games. He has four returning offensive linemen blocking for him, and last year the Bulldogs averaged 5.5 yards per carry while allowing just 12 sacks.

Yet, Georgia didn’t win the East Division.

“I met Nick in high school,” Fournette said. “He’s a great person. He’s a great running back. I think he is hands-down the best running back in the SEC. I’m competing against him every day.”

Fournette also said that if Chubb was a Lamborghini, he hoped to be more like his favorite car, a Bugatti. It’s a little more unique, which is exactly the kind of thing that can make all the difference come awards time when perception is everything.

With a veteran offensive line, LSU is always dangerous, and led by senior tackle Vadal Alexander (6'6", 320 lbs), this year’s group is also huge. But the Tigers’ passing game was pretty horrible last season, which only helps fuel the notion that Fournette will be carrying his team’s fortunes on his shoulder.

Chubb doesn’t really have that same status. Georgia has an easier division, an easier schedule and doesn’t have to rely so much on its top running back. So if Fournette’s numbers are anywhere close to Chubb’s, he’s going to get the benefit of doubt.  

What’s going to be interesting is that all of the SEC’s key Heisman contenders, except Henry, face Alabama and Nick Saban’s defense, which still may be college football’s best measuring stick. Cam Newton essentially locked up his Heisman win when he led a dramatic victory at Bryant-Denny Stadium in 2010, as did Johnny Manziel two years later.

During an era in which few running backs receive serious Heisman consideration, Fournette’s in position and has the potential to be an exception if he can avoid any significant injuries.

He won’t be, though, unless LSU makes a strong push for the league title or playoffs. 

“I expect nothing but greatness,” Beckworth said.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Christopher Walsh is a lead SEC college football writer.

Follow Christopher on Twitter @WritingWalsh.